The International Criminal Court (ICC) says a criminal complaint has been filed against foremost human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN for allegedly instigating the #EndSARS protests which led to killings of some persons and destruction of property.
According to Daily Sun, Head of Information and Evidence Unit of the ICC, Mark P. Dillon confirmed receipt of the complaint on Wednesday.
Dillon said that the complaint would be considered in accordance with the procedure and Rome Statute of the ICC.
The complaint was reportedly filed by one Make Nigeria Better Initiative (MNBI) represented by Joseph Nwaegbu, a Senior Associate of Pathfind Attorneys.
The complaint dated November 4, 2020, was addressed to the Office of Madame Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor of ICC.
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“On the recent #EndSARS Protests which turned violent across the country, we beg to submit that the role played by Mr. Falana before, during and after what observers described as ‘the mother of all protests in Nigeria’ is not only ignoble but criminal,’’ MNBI said.
The group accused Falana of spreading fake news which fuelled the youths’ agitations against the government, which was attended by loss of lives and property.
MNBI said it attached sensitive pieces of evidence on the allegations raised to drive home their argument that Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, ought to be prosecuted and sanctioned.
It identified policemen killed and government property destroyed as casualties of the #EndSARS protests.
“Despite the killing of innocent citizens and security agents alike with reckless abandon in the aftermath of the #EndSARS Protest, MNBI believes that it is rather reprehensible, appalling and criminal for Falana, SAN to keep publishing in some online platforms from 25th October, 2020 till this moment with the aim of trivialising the damage caused to innocent citizens in Nigeria.
“We submit that this again should form a basis why he is liable for investigation and subsequent punishment by this Honourable Court being the last hope of common men worldwide.
“It is our further submission that what Falana is doing gives room for suspicion that another brand of terrorist group may be created to hide under the cover of ‘human rights activists’ whilst sustaining the evils already bedeviling our people through the activities of the disbanded Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Boko Haram and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),” MNBI stated.